COMPARE/CONTRAST THE SPANISH
AND CHINESE CIVIL WARS
Comparisons - key similarities
Causes of the Civil War
End of Monarchy
SCW: The weaknesses of the Spanish monarchy, and the
political instability this promoted, was fundamental in
laying ground war for the Spanish Civil War including
deep division in a vast spread of regionalism. Essentially,
the Spanish dictator Primo de Rivera (1923-1930) does
not succeed in securing political instability.
Consequently, the political division intensifies after his
death and ultimately this long term issue leads to the
outbreak of civil war between opposing sides fighting for
power.
CCW: As with Spain, the collapse of imperial power in
China was crucial in establishing the political instability
that contributed to the civil war. This includes the
collapse of a 300 year dynasty, the 1911 Revolution of
Double Tenth, and the failure of Yuan Shikai to deal with
long term foreign intervention. Additionally, this political
vacuum causes a “warlord area” from 1916 to 1927, with
no central government. The KMT and the CCP emerge as
a result of this, hence battle for rule begins.
Contrasts - key differences
Foreign involvement
CCW: The failures of US diplomacy lead to the ultimate outbreak
of the Chinese Civil War. The United States intervened to break the
tension between the Nationalists and the Communists. They did so
by promoting a coalition government between the two parts. Yet,
Chiang Kai-Shek and Mao were not willing to appreciate the terms
of the agreement, and the US was not able to uphold its diplomatic
relations, which ultimately lead to the outbreak of the civil war as
both sides began to battle.
SCW: Dissimilar to the Chinese outbreak of civil war, the
immediate cause to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War was the
victory of the Popular Front, who caused much distress the Right-
Winged. Consequently, Franco began to plan a military coup, which
was to be funded by Robles. On June 17th 1936, Franco and his
crew murder the Christian-right leader Sotelo. Franco’s rebellion
was successful in some parts including northern Spain and
Andalusia, yet less successful in major industrial spaces and in
Madrid. Consequently, both sides reached a deadlock following the
outbreak of the civil war.
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

 Political instability

SCW: The political instability and the frequent

shift in “central control” – After Primo de
Rivera’s death, Spain was politically polarized.
The country was divided between the left and
the right and throughout the early 1930s this
polarization intensified and resulted in
Franco's military coup that led to war in 1936. 

CCW: In much the same way as with Spain,

China was deeply between nationalists and
communists seen as both sides wanted as much
territory after the Japanese withdrawal. Despite
of US effort of negotiating peace with the
opposing sides in China, by February in 1946
both sides were fighting again as they moved
troops into Manchuria (northern China).
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

 Economic+ social causes

In both SCW and CCW, the long-term

economical and social factors contributed o
the outbreak of the war. Spain and China
were both 
agricultural economies. In both countries
peasants lived in abject poverty as a result
of the feudalistic structure of the agrigarian
society, in which the peasants were
supressed. The plight of the peasants in
both countries contributed to social tension
+ contributed to establishment of rivalling
political parties that wanted on the hand
improve the conditions of the workers and
peasants (CCP + Popular front parties) and
on the other hand maintain the power of the
landlords (KMT + CEDA). It were these
paties, which later fought each other in the
respective civil wars.
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Reasons for Foreign Intervention

The USSR's support for both Civil Wars
was limited due to fear of other Great
Powers turning against them, however
did support to some extent in both wars!
 SCW: Stalin was afraid that Communist
victory would panic Britain and France
into an alliance with Hitler.
CCW: Afraid that USSR support for
Communists would draw the US into the
conflict.

In both wars, the foreign support for the

nationalist parties came from a fear of
the spread of Communism:
 SCW: Italy and Germany wanted to secure
fascist governments in Spain and eliminate
and crush all Communism.
CCW: Initially, US support in the Civil
War was to stabilize China but came to
support the nationalists in the fear of
another Communist state.
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Impact of foreign intervention - did it determine

the outcome of the war?

In both wars the Communist parties
(Republicans and Communists) were
given support, however very limited, for
the USSR
•SCW: Supplies of food and some military
equipment, however most of them out of
date and not modern technology.
•CCW: The Communists were given
military training as well as pilot training for
the PLA.  of military equipment and soldiers from Germany and
•In the CCW, not gaining foreign support actually helped
the CCP gain support whereas in the SCW the limited
support for the Republicans was one of the reasons for its
defeat.
•In the CCW, support from foreign powers actually
undermined the nationalist war effort, in contrast to in the
SCW where German and Italian support ensured victory.
•In the SCW the foreign support increased chances of
victory for nationalists, whereas in CCW the foreign
support did not do much to affect the final outcome.
•SCW: Nationalists won with the help of large amounts
Italy.

•CCW: Even though the Communist party only received

limited support from the USSR in contrast to US support
for KMT, it did not affect the final outcome as CCP
emerged as victors.
Comparisons - key similarities
Why Mao/Franco Won their Wars
Strong leadership
SCW: Franco was an intelligent leader and
field commander, who was clever in his
decisions and cautious in this tactics. This
was an asset to the Nationalists, as they could
take advantage of weaknesses of their
opponents and use it against them. In other
words, Franco’s leadership skills helped to
secure Nationalist victory. 
CCW: As with Franco, Mao was known for
his leadership qualities and his decisive
character that enabled the Communist to win.
Allegedly, Mao was the greatest military
strategist in the history of China.  Mao’s portrayal as the “victim of western imperialism”
Contrasts - key differences
Foreign involvement
SCW: During the course of the Spanish Civil War, the
Nationalists were aided with war supplies and military
equipment from Germany (16,000 troops and the
Condor Legion) and Italy (75,000 men). Hitler’s support
for Franco enabled the Nationalists to attain air
dominance over the Republicans, i.e. the bombing of
Guernica. Historian Anthony Beevor argues that the
Condor Legion was “the most efficient and influential
assistance in Spain.” 
CCW: Dissimilarly to the successful outcome of direct
foreign involvement for Franco, Mao’s Communists
succeeded in their battle for victory due to the flaws of
indirect foreign intervention. Mao received limited
support from his Russian counterparts in comparison to
the amount of financial and military aid the Chinese
Nationalists received from the US. Nevertheless, it was
that enabled him to win support amongst his people
consequently leading to his win over the Nationalists. 
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Why Mao/Franco Won their Wars

"Lack of unity"

SCW: Both Franco and Mao used their

opponents’ lack of unity to their favor. The
Republicans in Spain suffered from internal
divisions including the question of rule and
power. This resulted in a civil war within a
civil war in Barcelona were the Socialists and
the Communists battled in bloody street
fights with Anarchists and Trotskyists. The
lack of Republican unity enabled Franco to
unite the Carlists, the Falange and other
groups into a single party, the National
Movement, given that the Nationalists were
more compact and precise in their struggle,
which contrasted with the internal instability
the Republican side.
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Why Mao/Franco Won their Wars

"Lack of unity"
CCW: Just like Franco, Mao recognized the
internal weaknesses of the Chinese
Nationalists, the KMT, who differed on
ideology and way of rule, very much like the
Spanish Republicans. Despite extreme
foreign aid, the Nationalists were not able to
defeat the inadequate Communists, thus
failing to unite the whole of China under a
single party state. Whilst the KMTs were
occupied with inner conflicts, the CCPs built
up its strength and emerged as much stronger
in the “United Front” of 1937, together with
the KMT against the Japanese invasion of
China. After 1937, Mao was strong enough to
wage war against the KMT and to secure
victory.
Comparisons - key similarities
Results of the Civil Wars
Political:  Political:
Both wars resulted in single-party state
dictatorships where individual rights were
suppressed:
SCW: Franco launched a terror campaign
after the victory in the Civil War, to eliminate
opposition that killed approximately a further
40,000-200,000 people known as the "White
Terror".
CCW: China remained a single party state in
which individual rights and freedoms were
suppressed- in 1989 when young protesters in
the Tiananmen Square (Beijing) were forcibly
dispersed with guns and tanks, the battles for
the Civil War was used to justify the actions
of the state.
Contrasts - key differences
 
CCW emergence of a left-wing leader
whilst SCW emergence of a right-wing
leader! The policies that were put in place
as a result of the new governments were
drastically different between the two
countries:
SCW: Franco reversed the Republican's
land reforms and Spain's agricultural
system remained ineffective and inefficient
and he wanted to restore the power of
privileged!
CCW: Property was taken from wealthy
landowners and redistributed to the
peasants and large efforts were put to
modernize the agricultural system. 
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Results of the Civil Wars

International:  International:

Result of the Civil Wars created deep splits Reaction of superpower USA differed
between the supporting powers: greatly after the two wars:

SCW: Divisions between the USSR and SCW: US remained mostly neutral and
Germany- drove Soviet foreign policy to seek even strengthened its isolationism. US
alliance with Western powers to contain President Eisenhower gave the first
Germany. American grant to Franco's army.

CCW:US "Cold War" anxiety led to increased CCW: America refuses to recognize CCP-
emphasis on military budget to prevent the seat in the UN was given to the KMT in
further spread of communism- saw USSR as Taiwan and not China's seat PRC!
the "mastermind" behind Mao's victory.
Comparisons - key similarities Contrasts - key differences

Results of the Civil Wars

Economic: 

In both countries the economy had been very

badly effected by the fighting of Civil War:

SCW: 10-15% of Spain's wealth was

destroyed and communication systems,
factory machinery needed to be replaced and
rebuilt. The new govt. was also facing huge
debts.

CCW: 8 years of fighting and Japanese

occupation left the economy exhausted with
falling agricultural and industrial production
and food shortages.